Stocking protector



June 20, 193& M. s. SILVER 1,914,463

STOCKING PROTECTOR Filed May 27, 1932 Patented June 20, 1933 PATENT OFFICE MYER S. SILVER 0]? BROOKLINE, MASSACHUSETTS srocxme rno'rno'ron Application filed m 27,

This invention relates to stocking heel protectors and more particularly to a device of this character which is formed of flexible material and adapted to fit around the heel of the wearer. Protectors of this general nature have heretofore been proposed but trouble has been experienced with these prior devices because they failed to conform to and tightly hug or grip the heel.

it is the object of the present invention to provide an improved construction by means of which the protector conforms more closely to the shape of the heel and clings more tightly thereto.

In order that the invention may be clearly understood, reference is had to the accom panying drawing forming part of this specification and in which:

Fig. 1 is a side view showing my improved heel protector as it appears when applied to the foot of a wearer;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation on an enlarged scale showing my improved heel protector in its normal condition;

Fig. 3 is a plan view thereof;

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the shape which the parts assume when applied to the foot F ig. 5 is a view of the blank constituting the side wall portion of the protector;

Fig. 6 is a View of the blank constituting the base portion thereof, and

Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the shape assumed by my improved protector after having been applied to the heel as in Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawing in detail, it will be understood that the parts of my improved protector are cut from a sheet of flexible material, such as soft leather. The base portion comprises a blank 1 substantially conforming to the shape of the bottom of the heel of a wearer, as shown in Fig. 6 and having a rounded end portion 2, and concave side portions 2a.

The side wall portion comprises a blank 3, as shown in Fig. 5, this blank having a curved or convex upper edge 4:, whereby the blank tapers down to points at each end. The lower 1932. SeriaI No. 613,992.

edge of the blank 3 is adapted to be secured to the edge of the base blank 1, and in accordance with my improved design, the central portion 5 of the lower edge of the blank 3, where such edge fits around the rounded portion 2 of the base blank, is concave as shown. On either side of this concave portion 5 the lower edge of the blank 3 comprises a convex portion 6 adapted to fit the concave portions 2a of the base blank, the portions 5 and 6 merging into each other to form a smooth curve, as shown.

The parts are assembled by securing the lower edge 56 of the blank 3 to the ed e of the blank 1 as by means of stitching as clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4. This assembly of the parts produces a cup-like article adapted to fit over the-heel of the wearer.

By reference to Fig. 2, it will be seen that, by virtue of the concave portion 5 of the edge of the blank 3, the rear or rounded portion 1 of the base 1 is bent or curved upwardly,

and does notlie substantially in a single plane, as in constructions heretofore pro posed. Furthermore, the rear portion 3 of the side wall inclines forwardly and overlies the base, in the normal position of the parts, but it will be seen that this rear portion of the side wall forms with the base an angle at least as great as a right angle. The side portions of the blank 3 normally form an obtuse angle to the base and bow outwardly therefrom, as shown in Fig. 3.

By virtue of the edge of the blank 3 being concave, as shown at 5, at the point where it is secured to the rounded end or heel portion of the base 1, and by virtue of the complemental convex and concave edges 6 and 2, the two blanks, when assembled, form a structure which is capable of fitting around and snugly gripping the heel of the wearer. In other words, the joining of the two reversely curved edges 2 and 5 and 2 and 6 results in a seam which tends to follow substantially arcs of a sphere, and which therefore also results in the production of an article which presents a substantially spherical concavity at the rear, which concavity closely conforms to the shape of the heel of the wearer, as shown in Fig. 1. It will be understood, of

course, that when applied to the foot, as shown in this figure, the rear portion 3" of the side wall 3 assumes a somewhat curved shape.

It will also be understood that as this rear portion is pushed back from the position shown in Fig. 3 to that shown in Fig. 4, the lateral portions of the side wall are drawn more closely togethenas illustrated in Fig. 4 so as to conform to the shape of the foot, the general appearance of the protector, after having been applied to the heel, being well illustrated in Fig. 7.

As a result of the above method ofcutting and assembling the blanks, my improved protector fits much more closel and clings much more tightly to the heel o the wearer than any heretofore produced.

'What I claim is:

1. A stocking heel protector comprising two pieces of flexible material secured together along their edges, one piece constituting a base and substantially conforming to the shape of the bottom of ,the heel of a wearer, and the other piece constituting a side wall and having curved upper and lower edges, the middle portion of the lower edge being concave.

2. A stocking heel protector comprising two pieces of flexible material secured together along their edges, one piece constituting a base and having a rounded end, and the other piece constituting a side wall and having curved upper and lower edges, that portion of the lower edge adapted to fit around the rounded end of the base being concave, and a portion at each side thereof being convex.

3. A stocking heel protector, comprising a flexible blank adapted to form a base, and another flexible blank adapted to form a side wall, one edge of said side wall blank having, when in flat form a central concave portion and a pair of lateral convex portions, the concave and convex portions of said edge merging into each other to produce a smooth curve, and said edge being secured to said base blank.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

MYER S. SILVER. 

